Exercise apparatus

[0001] This invention relates to an exercise aid which when coupled with an elastomeric resistance element may be used as an exercise apparatus to perform various exercises to firm and tone the body as it stretches against the resistance offered by the elastomeric resistance member.

[0002] The benefits of exercise are well recognized particularly when performed on a regular basis. One disadvantage of many existing exercise apparatus is that they are bulky and expensive with the result that many individuals do not find them affordable or convenient to use in their home or when they are travelling away from home. As a result, many gymnastic facilities are available so that a number of exercise apparatus may be used, such facilities often being provided at holiday resorts as well as hotels to accommodate the requirements of guests who wish to maintain a regular exercise routine.

[0003] An object of this invention is to provide a simple exercise aid which is inexpensive and readily mounted to a fixed structure so that it will be convenient and available to a user whether exercising at home or away from home.

[0004] In accordance with this invention there is provided an exercise aid having a crenellated surface and which extends longitudinally between end portions, the end portions extending transversely to the crenellated surface for spacing the crenellated surface from a support surface such as a wall to define a space for slidingly receiving an elastomeric resistance member therebetween.

[0005] When combined with an elastomeric member, preferably with handgrips fixed to opposite ends of the elastomeric member, the exercise aid defines an exercise apparatus which can be mounted permanently at the home or other desired location with fasteners to secure the apparatus to a wall or temporarily with securement straps to the front edge of the door.

[0006] In order that the invention can be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise aid in combination with an elastomeric member having hand grips;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted to a vertical wall surface;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 2 of circled area three and drawn to a larger scale;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 secured to a door with securement straps; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exercise aid made in accordance with the invention.

[0012] An exercise aid made in accordance with the invention is generally indicated in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 20. The exercise aid 20 has a crenellated surface defined by a crenellated rod 22 having a plurality of crenels 24 spaced along the length thereof between merlons 26. In the embodiment illustrated, the crenellated rod 22 is fixed at its ends to an elongate support member 28 in the form of a wood bar. The elongate support bar 28, in this case, extends along the length of the crenellated rod 22 and has a pair of end portions in the form of blocks 30 which extend transversely to the elongate support bar so as to space the crenellated rod 22 from a support surface.

[0013] The exercise aid 20 is shown in FIG. 2 mounted to a vertical support surface such as a wall 32 having an exterior plaster covering 34 and an inner vertically extending wall joist 36. Here it will be seen that the elongate support bar 28 and the end blocks 30 are pre-drilled to define a countersunk opening 38 at each end of the support bar 28 for receiving a threaded fastener 40 (see detail view of FIG. 3).

[0014] As seen most clearly in FIG. 3 the end blocks 30 not only serve to mount the exercise aid 20 to the wall 32 but also space the crenellated rod 22 from the surface of the wall 32 by a distance sufficient to slidingly receive an elastomeric resistance member 42 between the crenellated rod 22 and the wall surface. The elastomeric resistance member 42 shown more fully in FIGS. 1 and 2 may consist of a length of rubber tubing or suitable equivalent which will resist stretching so that a user grasping hand grips 44 provided at the ends of the elastomeric resistance member 42 will have to exercise force to stretch the member and upon release of the force, the member 42 will resume its original length. The hand grips 44 are shown in the form of loops having a slot for coupling to the elastomeric member 42. In this way, the grips 44 may be disengaged from the elastomeric member, if this is desired, or the effective length of the elastomeric member can be adjusted. Conveniently, the hand grips 44 are of sufficiently narrow width that they can be threaded through the space between the crenellated rod 32 and the wall 34 to be disengaged from the exercise aid 20.

[0015] As indicated by the ghost-outline position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the elastomeric resistance member 42 may be moved vertically to a selected crenel 24 to any desired height suitable for performing any particular exercise or for accommodating users of different height. In FIG. 3, the elastomeric resistance member 42 is shown in cross-section and located by the crenel 24 adjacent to a bottom end of the exercise aid 20.

[0016] While it is preferred for the exercise aid 20 to be mounted permanently to a vertical surface such as a wall in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that the device may be transported by a user for temporary mounting to any convenient vertical surface including a post, a door, or even a tree. In FIG. 4, the exercise aid 20 is shown coupled to the front edge 46 of a door 48 shown in an open position spaced from a door jam 50. The door 48 may be held in the open position illustrated by a door stop (not shown). A pair of securement straps 52 adjustable in length and disposed at opposite ends of the exercise aid are used to encircle the door 48 with the exercise aid 20 disposed between the straps 52 and the front edge 46 of the door 20. While the exercise aid 20 has been shown in FIG. 4 to be mounted in an upper vertical portion of the door 48, it may equally be mounted to a lower vertical portion of the door and if desired, two such aids could be mounted one above the other.

[0017] It will be appreciated that several variations may be made to the above-described preferred embodiment of the invention within the scope of the appended claims, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The crenellated rod 22 could be fixed to the end blocks 30 instead of the elongate support bar 28. It will also be appreciated that the elongated crenellated rod does not need to extend the full length of the associated support bar.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, an exercise aid 60 is integrally fabricated in one piece, a crenellated surface 62 being formed on an elongate support bar 64 on one side thereof between a pair of integrally formed end blocks 66,68 for spacing the support bar 64 from a support surface. The crenellated surface 62 has a plurality of crenels 70 spaced along the length thereof between respective merlons 72. An elastomeric resistance member 74 is shown in FIG. 5 trapped in a crenel 70 at a selected height in similar fashion to the elastomeric resistance member 42 of FIG. 1. Respective hand grips 76 are provided at free ends of the elastomeric resistance member 74.

[0019] Still further variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.